For many families, an orphan allowance is a permanent element of the budget, and even a small increase has a real impact on everyday expenses. In 2026, indexation did not result in a significant increase in this benefit from ZUS, but it is still a significant addition to the household budget.
As Infor.pl reminds, the benefit does not depend on the family's income, and its payment may last up to the age of 25, if the entitled person continues education.
ZUS pays almost PLN 700 per month. Who is entitled to the benefit?
The complete orphan allowance is payable to persons receiving a survivor's pension from both deceased parents or from their mother if the father is unknown. The allowance is paid to both minors and adult students.
“If a child turns 25 in the last year of studies, the right to a pension is extended until the end of that year of studies,” explains the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
See also: This benefit goes to specific people. You can get over PLN 200
As ZUS explains, in order to apply for an orphan allowance, the following documents are necessary:
- application for an orphan allowance
- documents confirming the dates of parents' deaths
- a document confirming the date of death of the mother and a birth certificate showing the lack of data about the father.
After the March indexation in 2026, the allowance for a complete orphan is PLN 689.17 per month. Until February, this amount was PLN 654.48 per month. Everyone eligible receives the full amount, regardless of the number of siblings.
When can you lose your orphan allowance?
In the case of this benefit from ZUS, it is crucial to keep an eye on the formalities, because failure to complete them may result in loss of the benefit. As Infor.pl reminds, people studying and receiving the above-mentioned allowance are obliged to regularly confirm their continuation of education. The basic document used for this purpose is an appropriate certificate issued by a school or university.
See also: Seniors will receive an additional PLN 366.68 from ZUS in May. You only need to meet one condition
It is worth remembering that secondary school students should submit documents to ZUS by the end of September of a given year. For students, this period is extended until the end of October.
Lack of a current certificate results in suspension of benefit payment. If ZUS pays the supplement despite losing the right, the money will have to be returned along with interest. Moreover, the beneficiary loses the right to the supplement when the right to survivor's pension expires.
